Bird Spring Stair Climb - 11/10/24

Las Vegas skyline from Bird Spring Range Escarpment

Red Rock Escarpment from Bird Spring Range

View back to SR 160 from first Saddle

Starting the steep climb to escarpment Peak

Primarily found in the southern Nevada and California area, the Bird Spring Formation is associated with the Pennsylvanian and Permian time periods. In Nevada, the Bird Spring Thrust Fault and its escarpment, is located east of the Wilson Cliffs Thrust which is just east of the Keystone Thrust in the Red Rock National Conservation Area. There are multiple small marine fossils within the crust of the formation and the area is ripe with hiking opportunities. On this hike, nine hikers started out from the Late Night Trailhead on SR 160 and followed a trail that dips under the highway to the south side of the road that takes travelers between Las Vegas and Pahrump, NV. We hiked on the Badger Pass Trail for about a half mile from the trailhead then turned east to northeast in a wide canyon lying between two ridges of the Bird Spring escarpment. Soon, we found a use trail that took us up to the saddle between the ridges. Here, the trail turns to the right and climbs very steeply up to the top of the ridge and on to the escarpment peak. On the peak, there is a large cairn and log book.

Still Climbing

Evidence of recent fire and ancient Fossils

View back from Bird Spring Escarpment Peak

Signing the log on the escarpment Peak

The trail continues over the peak and around to the right balancing on the top of the Bird Spring escarpment ridge. To the left of the ridge the cliffs become more steep as you go. To the right of the ridge, the first canyon beyond the first and secondary peaks drops down to flow back to the Badger Pass Trail. This canyon is the descent canyon for this hike. When we first used this canyon, there was a fairly clear game trail that led the way through the rocks and brush. On this hike, the trail is almost obliterated by overgrown brush making it seem that the deer, elk and burros ceased to use this particular canyon to travel. There are several choices to descend from this ridge down to the bike trail. Perhaps they use an alternate route now.

Mt. Potosi (L) and Hollow Rock Peak (R) from Bird Spring Range

Following along the Bird Spring Range Ridge

Approach to the descent canyon Wash

Water Break

We descended through the brush down to the wide wash area and on to the bike trail. Finally, we connected with the Badger Pass Trail encountering a few bikers as we hiked. This is a pleasant loop hike that requires a raise in heart rate while climbing that first steep hill. One of many reasons we hike!

Stats: 5 miles; 1100' gain; 3.5 hours

David leads the way down the brushy canyon Wash (obliterated horse trail)

Concentrating on our Footing

Nearing the bottom of the canyon Wash